Phil Hay

Leeds United’s first competitive fixture of the new season was confirmed yesterday as the draw for the opening round of the Capital One Cup handed them a tie at home to Accrington Stanley.

United, whose Championship fixture list will be announced by the Football League this morning, are to host only their second ever meeting with Accrington during the week commencing August 11, the second week of the 2014-15 term.

The League Two club played at Elland Road for the first time in December 2009, losing a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy fixture 2-0.

Leeds reached the third round of the competition last season, falling to Newcastle United at St James’ Park, and the Capital One Cup was used by former manager Brian McDermott to blood young academy midfielder Alex Mowatt.

The teenager made his debut in a second-round win at Doncaster Rovers and went on to play 31 times and win a long-term contract.

Championship new boys Rotherham take on Fleetwood, while Sheffield United host near-neighbours Mansfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday entertain Notts County, managed by former United star Shaun Derry.

Bradford City and Huddersfield Town are both on the road to Morecambe and Chesterfield respectively, while York City and Doncaster Rovers are put together in a Yorkshire derby.

For their part Rovers will be hoping the proposed takeover of the club former chairman John Ryan and One Direction star Louis Tomlinson will be completed this week.

Rovers have twice been forced to postpone official announcements of the takeover due to complex negotiations over Tomlinson’s image rights.

But Ryan, who ended his 15-year association with the South Yorkshire club in November, told Press Association Sport that protracted talks between the club and Tomlinson’s legal team could be drawing to a conclusion.

“I can’t confirm anything just yet,” he said.

“I think it’s nearly there. We’re still waiting to hear if it has been completed, but I anticipate it will be very soon.

“We’re very hopeful it will be done this week.”

Tomlinson’s management team own his image rights and are entitled to money made from use of the singer’s name or image.

They believe that interest in the club will increase if Tomlinson’s joint takeover goes ahead and it is understood they want a share of any extra revenue made through merchandise and extra ticket sales.

Doncaster-born Tomlinson, 22, is currently on a world tour with One Direction, which has dates in Denmark and France scheduled for this week. The club confirmed at the end of last month that they were in talks with Tomlinson’s representatives about a possible takeover.

Tomlinson is a lifelong fan of the club, relegated to Sky Bet League One last season, and is also registered as a player for Rovers, appearing for the club’s reserve team in February.

John Collins has been appointed assistant manager at Celtic, the Parkhead club have announced.

The former Hoops and Scotland midfielder, who made 229 appearances for Celtic from 1990 to 1996, was appointed by new boss Ronny Deila, who replaced Neil Lennon.

“It is a huge honour for me to return to Celtic, the club which has always been such a major part of my life,” Collins told the club’s official website.

“I am grateful to Ronny for giving me this wonderful opportunity and I look forward to working closely with him and the players to ensure that we can continue to bring the good times to Celtic.

“I know what a great club Celtic is and I know exactly what the club means to our fans.

“I will support the manager in every way and I am sure that together with our players, the backroom staff and the fans, we can all play our part in bringing success to the club.”

Collins, 46, started his career at Hibernian and also played for Monaco, Everton and Fulham and was capped 58 times by Scotland.

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